Itchy armpits may be caused by allergy, heat rashes, skin infections and certain skin and systemic diseases. Finding the exact cause of the skin rash is thus of paramount importance in getting rid of the underarm itching.
Armpit itching may occur with or without a skin rash. Diagnosing the cause is comparatively easier when the underarm itching is accompanied by a specific skin rash.
Itchy Armpits without Skin Rash
Mild allergies can cause itching of the axilla (armpit) without any skin changes visible to the naked eye. Excessive sweating of the armpits (known as axillary hyperhidrosis) can cause itchy skin without rashes.
Persistent itching of the armpits, often accompanied by generalized itching or itching in other areas of skin, calls for extensive investigations to rule out underlying systemic diseases.
Underarm Itch with Skin Rashes
Itchy armpits with specific rashes make diagnosis and treatment of the problem effective and easy. These are usually caused by allergies, infections and specific skin diseases.
Detailed history, clinical examination and relevant laboratory investigations are mandatory to arrive at a specific diagnosis of the cause of the underarm itching.
Diagnosis of Causes of Underarm Itching
Providing you doctor with a detailed history is essential. Being prepared to answer the following questions when you visit your doctor will be helpful in making a preliminary diagnosis of the itchy armpits:
- How long have you had the itching?
- Did the rash precede the itch or vice versa?
- What are your outdoor habits?
- Which soap do you use?
- Any deodorants?
- Itching present elsewhere in the body?
- Similar itchy rashes in the past?
- Did you take any treatment so far? If so, what were the results?
All these details are necessary for your doctor to reach a provisional clinical diagnosis of the cause of the itchy armpit
The attending physician or dermatologist may order certain tests to confirm the diagnosis, in case of doubt. He or she may scrape the skin and look under the microscope after specific stains to confirm the presence of bacteria or fungus. Patch testing will pinpoint the cause of allergy in most cases. If there are no rashes, your doctor will carry out a full physical along with a battery of tests to rule out systemic causes of armpit itching.
How to Get Rid of Itchy Armpits Rash
Treatment of the itchy armpits rash involves general and specific measures. General measures include avoiding hot and humid conditions, wearing cotton clothes and avoiding any suspected deodorants and cosmetics etc.
Specific treatment of itchy armpits rash involves diagnosis and management of specific causes of the skin rash causing underarm itching:
- Allergic itchy armpits. Allergy is one of the commonest causes for itchy armpits. Allergy causing itchy rashes in the armpits may be either irritant contact dermatitis or allergic contact dermatitis.
- Itchy armpits caused by skin infections. Skin infections may cause itchy rashes in the armpits, especially in hot, humid climates. The itching is varied in different conditions and is always accompanied by specific skin rashes, which makes the diagnosis and treatment of itchy armpits caused by skin infections easier than other types of diseases.
- Skin diseases causing underarm itching. There are many skin conditions and rashes which can cause itching of the underarm area. Dryness, ageing skin, excessive sweating, eczema (both in children and adults), lichen planus, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis and hidradenitis suppuritiva are some of the commonest skin diseases which causes itchy armpits rash.
In addition to the specific skin conditions described above, underarm itching and skin rash may also be a feature in patients with diabetes, kidney failure, liver diseases and internal cancers, especially the lymphomas. In most cases, though, the itching is generalized. Itchy armpits or generalized itching without skin rashes calls for extensive investigations to rule out the internal causes.
Reference
- Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine. Seventh Edition, 2008
- Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas & Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology, Sixth Ed, 2009
Disclaimer
The information given in this article is for educational purpose only so that patients are aware of the options available. No diagnosis should be made or treatment undertaken without first consulting your doctor. If you do so, Dr.Hanish Babu, MD or Suite101 will not be responsible for any consequences. The images provided are for illustration purpose only.
Hanish Babu - Dr.Hanish Babu, MD is a dermatologist and a feature writer on Suite101.com with more than 200 articles related to skin diseases on the ...
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